Chavanel to ride exquisite Classics program

Sylvain Chavanel will ride all the major Classics in April 2010. His program includes the Ronde van Vlaanderen, Paris-Roubaix, the Amstel Gold Race and Liège-Bastogne-Liège.

"This way I have an important race every week in April," the Frenchman told L'Equipe. "This is ideal for me."

Chavanel only discovered the Classics last year, but now makes them a centerpiece of his season. This spring, he rode in great support of Tom Boonen and Stijn Devolder, who won Paris-Roubaix and the Ronde van Vlaanderen, respectively.

Chavanel did not race Liège-Bastogne-Liège in 2009, but made sure it would appear in his 2010 schedule, against the wish of Quick Step's team manager, Patrick Lefevere. "But to deny something to Sylvain, who is always motivated, is difficult," Lefevere admitted.

His Classics season in 2009 was more marked by his work for the others, but he still finished eighth in Paris-Roubaix. He also came in third in Paris-Nice (where he won the points classification) and was second in the French National time trial Championships.

In 2008 he still rode for Cofidis, and that was his breakthrough year in the Classics scene. In adverse conditions he won both Dwars door Vlaanderen and the Brabantse Pijl. Later in the year he became French National time trial Champion and he also won stage 19 of the Tour de France.